In our college years, we’ve all planned to head to Goa, at least once with friends to enjoy the beaches, the booze and unwind with a much-needed vacation. But apparently, you aren’t welcome in Goa unless you have some class. The vice-president of Goa Forward Party, Durgadas Kamat, shared a picture of passengers sleeping on the floor outside the airport building.
Kamat shared the following tweet that evoked an outrage in Twitter-verse.
Scene @aaigoaairport .Do we need such cheap tourist in Goa ? @aaigoaairport should act on this . We don't need scum like these to visit Goa. We need quality tourist ,who will come ,spend & enjoy Goa & its beauty . #BrandGoa cannot be compromised at any cost. pic.twitter.com/tCvE1sbizw
— Durgadas Kamat (@durgadasskamat) July 8, 2019
The image shows passengers sleeping outside the Goa Airport. But what Mr. Vice-President has to say about it is revolting. He says, “Do we need such cheap tourist in Goa?” He continues saying, “We don’t need scum like these to visit Goa. We need quality tourist, who will come, spend & enjoy Goa and its beauty. #BrandGoa cannot be compromised at any cost.”
With the tweet and its choice of words, it received a slurry of responses rebuking the tweet itself. The replies on the tweet suggested that it’s not the passengers, but the infrastructure that’s compromising #BrandGoa.
The only thing that's cheap is your thinking dude.
— Faisal (@itsmeFSL) July 9, 2019
Goa airport is one of the most pathetic airports in India.. Facilities are lease than Bus stands of few cities.. You should be talking about improving the facilities at airport.
Calling the tourists cheap shows your upbringing
..— kiran (@kiranpaic) July 9, 2019
Unbelievable arrogance. Taxi mafias run amok in Goa costing half the flight ticket rate but talks about #BrandGoa.. grow up.
— Saffron Mom (@fireboltt) July 11, 2019
Gosh, you know what?
Sorry on behalf of these people for compromising your hashtag #BrandGoa.How long before you understand that these are real human beings and to call them 'cheap', 'scum' and 'not quality' is extreme classism??
EVERYONE DESERVES TO ENJOY GOA.— Shruti Chaturvedi (@adhicutting) July 9, 2019
Its better you rename your party as Goa Backward Party.
— Renjith Thomas (@TowardsLiberti) July 10, 2019
@PMOIndia @tourismgoi Find the reason before commenting. The language used is of arrogance and uncultured. Is goa not part of india? Constitution grants freedom to travel anywhere. They can afford flights are they scum. Where is atithi devo bhavo? Shame on you. Respect all
— sudesh sawant (@Sudeshgsawant) July 9, 2019
You tweet make you look like someone from Goa Backward Party!
You devalued your own point by degrading the tourists visiting Goa. Poor or Rich you just can't discriminate.
Plus provide better transport system as Goa lacks it big time.
— AatmbirbharNaari 🇮🇳 (@RicJSpeaks) July 9, 2019
We also deserve "Quality" politicians not scums who can't respect guests.
How can we stop cheap Politicians like you? Any idea?@KyaUkhaadLega @anuradhagoyal
— सङ्गच्छध्वम् (@Sangachhwadham) July 12, 2019
It's not always their fault. I don't support them but it's a pity state for all. I have been in a terrible situation there. So I understand how they feel. Sometimes the taxi prices quoted are higher then the flight prices we travelled. What do you have to say about that?
— Nikita Rege (@NikitaRege) July 8, 2019
Not only did Kamat’s tweet enrage a lot of people, it also made people feel repulsed by the idea of #BrandGoa. The politician’s action of pointing fingers at ‘cheap’ and ‘scum’ tourists, instead of providing better public facilities, is seen as extremely elitist.
Let’s hope Goa Tourism doesn’t forget the ideology that Incredible India stands for: Atithi Devo Bhava!